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Carnival Cruise Lines' revamped Carnival Sunshine

Originally built in 1996 as the Carnival Destiny, the renamed Carnival Sunshine was taken out of service in early 2013 for an extended makeover that has left large areas of the vessel looking as good as new.

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Carnival Cruise Lines' revamped Carnival Sunshine

Originally built in 1996 as the Carnival Destiny, the renamed Carnival Sunshine was taken out of service in early 2013 for an extended makeover that has left large areas of the vessel looking as good as new. Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Lines

Unprecedented in cruising history, the $155 million overhaul of the Carnival Sunshine involved an almost complete gutting and rebuilding of the ship's public areas, and it now boasts almost all-new deck-top zones, a major expansion of dining options and re-imagined entertainment spaces. Andy Newman, Carnival Cruise Lines

During the makeover process, which lasted more than two months, an entire deck was added to the front third of the ship, allowing for a new adults-only lounge area and more cabins. Andy Newman, Carnival Cruise Lines

Looming above the rear of the ship, the new WaterWorks area offers three water slides that rival anything found at a land-based resort: The scream-a-minute, 334-foot-long Twister, and dual racing slides that together are called the Speedway Splash. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

A new deck-top activities area on the Carnival Sunshine called SportSquare features one of the first ropes courses at sea, a jogging track, a nine-hole miniature golf course, a basketball court, and ping-pong, foosball and pool tables. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Added during the makeover, the Carnival Sunshine's new ropes course is one of fewer than half a dozen that exist on ships. The first ropes course at sea debuted in 2011 on the Carnival Magic. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The fourth and final major addition to the pool deck of the Carnival Sunshine was the BlueIguana Cantina, a Chipotle-like burrito bar that serves made-to-order burritos and tacos. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Among several new bars added during the Carnival Sunshine's makeover in 2013 was the Alchemy Bar, where bartenders dressed as pharmacists concoct alcoholic "prescriptions" for customer. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

Carnival Sunshine is the latest Carnival ship to get a RedFrog Pub, a concept that first debuted on the Carnival Magic in 2011. Carnival's own brand of beer, ThirstyFrog Red, is among the options on tap. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The new Fahrenheit 555 steakhouse on Carnival Sunshine is a stylish, contemporary space that serves up top-grade steaks and other dishes for an extra charge (currently $35 per person). Gene Sloan, USA TODAY

The Carnival Sunshine features the first Asian eatery on a Carnival ship, JiJi Asian Kitchen. It costs $12 per adult and $5 per child for dinner. At lunchtime, it offers cooked-to-order Mongolian wok dishes for no extra charge. Gene Sloan, USA TODAY